HEALTH

Research Ethics Committees

Jane Kennedy: On 16 November 2004, Official Report, House of Lords, column WS60, my noble Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Lord Warner, announced that he had asked Michael O'Higgins, a managing partner of PA Consulting Group Ltd., to chair a small ad-hoc group of scientists and lay members examining the operation of the research ethics committee system, including the Central Office for National Health Service Research Ethics Committees. The report is published today and its findings and recommendations will now be subject to consultation through the National Patient Safety Agency.
	Copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

Rotherham General Hospital NHS Trust

Liam Byrne: My noble Friend the Minister of State, Lord Warner, has made the following written ministerial statement today.
	"The chairman of Monitor (the statutory name of which is the Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts) announced on 31 May 2005 that, in accordance with section six of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003, Monitor authorised Rotherham General Hospital NHS Trust as an NHS Foundation Trust from 1 June 2005.
	A copy of Monitor's press notice has been placed in the Library.
	Monitor's announcement brings the total number of NHS Foundation Trusts to 32".

HOME DEPARTMENT

Queen's Award for Voluntary Service 2005

Paul Goggins: I am pleased to report that this year's recipients of the Queen's Awards for Voluntary Service were announced on Thursday 2 June.
	This prestigious annual award for groups of volunteers has been given this year to 92 groups whose outstanding voluntary activity has enhanced and improved the quality of life and opportunity for others in the community. The Government actively support the work of the voluntary and community sector and are encouraging more people to participate in community activity. This award will give some of those people the recognition they richly deserve. The details of the successful groups are as follows.
	
		
			   Activity Description 
		
		
			  East Midlands 
			 1 Incest and Sexual Abuse Survivors provision of counselling and support for adults in Nottinghamshire abused as children 
			 2 Talking with Hands enabling children and adults with hearing difficulties to visit the cinema to watch signed and subtitled films 
			 3 Grantham and District Talking Newspaper for the Blind providing weekly news items for the visually impaired in Grantham 
			 4 Readycall helping the elderly in South Derbyshire to maintain independence in their own homes 
			 5 Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Advocacy Alliance promoting the needs and rights of vulnerable people in Nottinghamshire to enhance their quality of life 
			  East of England  
			 6 SOS Home Safe and Sound Project providing a weekend community bus in Norwich city centre to reduce crime and the fear of crime 
			 7 Luton United Football Club providing recreational opportunities for young people in Luton with access to football coaching qualifications 
			 8 Yarls Wood Befrienders providing friendship and support to refugees and asylum seekers detained in Yarls Wood Immigration Removal Centre 
			 9 North Lynn Community Centre providing a community resource to benefit people living in North Lynn 
			 10 Magpas operating an emergency rapid response medical charity in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire 
			 11 St Clare Hospice caring for people and their families who are affected by life-threatening illnesses 
			 12 FIND providing friendship and basic essentials to families in Ipswich and surrounding areas to alleviate their serious social problems 
			 13 Basildon Pathfinders Blind and Partially Sighted Group supporting visually impaired people in Basildon through social interaction, holidays and information 
			 14 Dacorum Talking Newspaper providing visually impaired people in Hertfordshire with access to community information 
			 15 Furniture Link (Bedford) recycling furniture and household goods to those in need in Bedfordshire 
			  Guernsey  
			 16 Channel Islands Air Search providing a rapid response airborne search facility in the waters surrounding the Channel Islands 
			 17 The Guernsey Women's Refuge offering accommodation to women and children in Guernsey seeking respite from physical or domestic abuse 
			  Jersey  
			 18 Community Bereavement Service providing a free and confidential bereavement counselling service to people in Jersey 
			  Isle of Man  
			 19 Riding for the Disabled Association, Isle of Man providing riding and carriage driving opportunities for people in the Isle of Man who have physical learning difficulties 
			  London  
			 20 Muslim Welfare House providing ethnically diverse communities in Islington with educational, social and recreational support 
			 21 Islington Chinese Association providing a multi-cultural resource centre for Chinese people as well as serving the wider local and national community 
			 22 Waltham Forest Asian Seniors' Club providing a centre to support the welfare of older Asian people in the community 
			 23 Sai School of Harrow nurturing children from multi-faith communities in north London through education, social projects and citizenship 
			 24 Ebony Steel Band Trust encouraging young people to appreciate their cultural history through arts and music 
			 25 Youth Retreat Project empowering and training disadvantaged young people in north London through workshops and presentations 
			 26 The Holly Lodge Centre Volunteers providing opportunities for people of all abilities and ages to enjoy and learn about the natural environment and history of Richmond Park 
			 27 Eritrean Muslim Community Association advising on education and welfare together with the provision of recreational and social activities for diverse communities in London 
			  North East  
			 28 Escape Family Support Ltd providing drug and alcohol misusers and their families with support in Northumberland 
			 29 Waterhouses Community Association improving community needs and the environment in Waterhouses through social, educational and recreational activities 
			 30 Ferguson Lane Community Association providing companionship and support for vulnerable residents in disadvantaged areas in Newcastle 
			 31 St Benedict's Hospice Volunteers in Sunderland providing practical support to patients, families and carers to complement palliative care in St Benedict's Hospice 
			  North West  
			 32 Barnabus supporting the needs of homeless people and street sex workers in Manchester with food, education and medical facilities 
			 33 SAMM (Merseyside) providing emotional support to families and friends in Merseyside bereaved by murder or manslaughter 
			 34 Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team operating a mountain search and rescue service in the rural areas of Lancashire 
			 35 Brunshaw Action Group addressing the needs of communities in Burnley to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour through community cohesion 
			 36 Talbot House Support Centre giving practical advice, guidance and support to parents of children with special needs in Manchester 
			 37 West View Community Association enhancing the quality of life for the community in West View through provision of social and educational facilities 
			 38 Pakistani Community Centre (Longsight) providing multi-functional social, domestic and leisure services to diverse communities in Longsight. 
			 39 Carlisle and District Remap design of one-off equipment for disabled people for whom there is no commercially available alternative 
			 40 The Aintree Volunteer Scheme assisting with patient experience of hospital attendance in Aintree NHS hospitals 
			  Northern Ireland  
			 41 BCM Volunteers helping those most in need in the local community through practical and emotional support 
			 42 Aghalee Village Hall Management Committee management of a resource centre for residents from all areas of the community in Aghalee 
			  Scotland  
			 43 Skye Old People's Welfare Committee providing transport for elderly people in Skye attending appointments and recreational activities 
			 44 Islay and Jura Advice Centre providing a free and confidential independent advice service to residents and groups in Islay and Jura 
			 45 Ullapool and District Junior Pipe Band and Highland Dancers developing skills, talent and self-esteem of young people in Ullapool and district and the provision of a community activity 
			 46 Ragamuffin's Children's Theatre bringing children and adults together in Torry and Aberdeen through community theatre events and activities 
			 47 Caldercruix Youth and Community Development Project providing a programme of activities and opportunities for children and young people in Airdrie to increase educational and employment potential 
			 48 Beith Playpark Action Group providing a recreational facility for children and young people in Beith and raising funds for further development 
			 49 BCD Credit-Union providing a range of financial and insurance services to residents in Bridgeton, Calton and Dalmarnock 
			 50 The Muirfeld Group of Riding for the Disabled offering riding therapy to disabled people in and around East Lothian 
			 51 Dedridge Good Neighbour Network providing Livingston New Town with a sense of common identity and support through advice and social activities 
			 52 Killin Mountain Rescue Team locating climbers and walkers in difficulties in the Killin mountainous area 
			 53 The Gladiator Programme delivering physical activities through play and sports programmes in schools and communities in Greater Easterhouse and across Glasgow 
			 54 The Esk Valley Trust encouraging public awareness of the Esk Valley through the creation of community paths 
			  South East  
			 55 Volunteer Centre—West Berkshire providing a volunteer recruitment resource centre and a community transport scheme 
			 56 The Lakes Estate Summer Group serving the needs of Bletchley through social and educational family activities 
			 57 The Source providing a centre for young people in Aldershot for mentoring and social activities, reducing anti-social behaviour 
			 58 The Heart of Kent Hospice supporting patients, families and staff in the hospice through physical, emotional, social and spiritual care 
			 59 Surrey Appropriate Adult Volunteer Scheme looking after the welfare of juveniles and vulnerable adults in Surrey while in police custody 
			 60 The Sussex Snowdrop Trust supporting families of children in West Sussex diagnosed with life-threatening or terminal illnesses 
			 61 CIS'ters supporting women in the UK who have been victims of childhood incest and raising awareness of the situation 
			 62 East Surrey Domestic Violence Forum helping to reduce domestic violence and assisting victims in East Surrey by providing protection, support and advice 
			 63 Wallingford Coach for the Disabled (Elizabeth) provision of community transport in Wallingford and district for people with impaired mobility 
			 64 Mayfield and Five Ashes Community Cars providing community transport for residents in Mayfield and Five Ashes attending health related appointments 
			 65 Lighthouse Education Project meeting the needs of young people in the traveller community in Watersedge through an alternative learning environment 
			 66 TALK supporting people in Surrey with dysphasia difficulties through therapy and communication partnerships 
			 67 Christian Care Association providing homeless and marginalised people in Chichester and Bognor area of West Sussex with shelter, support and advice 
			 68 Kent and Medway Walking Bus Group supporting parents, groups and schools in Kent and Medway by the operation of walking buses 
			 69 Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group supporting detainees at Gatwick Airport through friendship information and discrimination awareness 
			  South West  
			 70 Support Against Racist Incidents Charity supporting victims of racial harassment in Bristol through advice, training and raising community awareness 
			 71 Hartcliffe and Withywood Teenage Parents Project providing practical, emotional and mentoring support for teenage parents in Bristol and raising awareness through education 
			 72 Ford Park Cemetery Trust restoring, managing and preserving the architectural and historical heritage of Ford Park Cemetery 
			 73 West Somerset Disability Association providing support, social and educational opportunities for people with physical difficulties living in West Somerset 
			 74 Newquay Rowing Club providing recreational rowing and a social focal point for adults and young people in Newquay alongside local fundraising 
			 75 Codford Youth Group Network providing a meeting place for young people in Codford with recreational and sporting facilities 
			 76 Gloucestershire Cloud 9 organising holiday of a lifetime visits for children in Gloucestershire who have physical or chronic illnesses 
			 77 Camborne Community Centre managing a community resource in Camborne to provide social educational and recreational facilities for local residents 
			  Wales  
			 78 Rhyl Gateway Club providing a meeting place for social, recreational and educational facilities for those with learning difficulties in Rhyl and district 
			 79 Eastern Valley Tenants Panel advising and supporting tenants in Eastern Valley to encourage community involvement 
			 80 Swansea Chinese Community Co-op Centre promoting the well-being of the Chinese community in the Swansea area 
			 81 Moelfre Community Project involving older people in the Moelfre community through a day care centre, social and educational facilities 
			  West Midlands  
			 82 Stafford Samaritans supporting people in Stafford who are in distress or in life-threatening situations 
			 83 Biddulph East Residents Association promoting the interests and needs of residents in Biddulph East through community partnerships with agencies and organisations 
			 84 Strokes R Us supporting and advising people in North Staffordshire who have stroke related health difficulties 
			 85 South Wye News involving people in South Wye in a regular and sustainable newspaper profiling issues of local interest 
			 86 Newton Farm Community Association offering free and confidential sources of information and advice to groups operating within South Wye and to the general public 
			  Yorkshire and the Humber  
			 87 Wakefield Hospice providing family support and palliative care to patients in Wakefield Hospice alongside fundraising for amenities 
			 88 Young Leaders in the Community recruiting and training young people in Sheffield helping to support drug abuse groups 
			 89 Hookstone Chase Community Association providing a centre for the community to participate in social, educational and recreational facilities 
			 90 Huddersfield and District University of the Third Age encouraging active lives in Huddersfield through mental stimulation and recreational activities for retired people and those with physical difficulties 
			 91 Caring for Life providing long term support and care to those with mental health, domestic and homeless difficulties in West Yorkshire 
			 92 Pakistan and Kashmir Welfare Association Ltd redressing the poverty and disadvantages faced by the Pakistani and Kashmiri communities in North Kirklees through an innovative range of services.

Proceeds of Crime Act 2002

Paul Goggins: I am pleased to announce that the Assets Recovery Agency's annual report 2004–05 will be laid before Parliament today.
	The report covers the agency's second full year of operation and provides an assessment of performance against its business plan 2004–05.
	The agency continues to make an impact in disrupting criminals and seizing their assets. It exceeded its targets in a number of areas of performance. In its second year of operation it disrupted a total of 28 criminal enterprises in England and Wales and eight in Northern Ireland, exceeding the total target of 35. In doing so the agency restrained assets to the value of £17 million which exceeded the target of £15 million. It also obtained civil recovery orders and tax assessments in over 10 cases with a value of over £5.5 million. However the time taken to complete litigation in civil recovery cases affected the agency's ability to achieve final orders and realise receipts.
	The agency adopted a total of 51 new cases for civil recovery and taxation investigation, exceeding the target of 35. Where it assisted law enforcement agencies in conducting confiscation investigations it adopted 26 new cases against a target of 15. It also adopted nine cases under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 for its own investigation against a target of five.
	The agency has delivered an extensive training programme for financial investigators and successfully implemented a communications strategy to raise awareness of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
	I am also pleased to announce the agency's business plan 2005–06, which is annexed to the annual report. The plan has been prepared by the director of the agency and has been approved by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary after consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The plan focuses on the agency's aims, priorities and targets for the year ahead and sets out how the director intends to exercise her functions in Northern Ireland.
	The agency will continue to exercise its powers of investigation and recovery against organised criminals and others, in support of the Government's commitment to taking the profit out of crime and to ensuring that crime does not pay.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate

Tony McNulty: I have approved the appointment of a new chair, and two members, to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's Independent Complaints Audit Committee.
	The new committee will comprise of:
	Dr. Ann Barker—chair
	Dr. Barker has extensive experience of public and voluntary appointments as committee member and chair. She has varied knowledge of handling complaints, particularly from the Police Complaints Authority.
	Mr. Paul Acres—member
	Mr. Acres is a highly respected ex-chief constable who has spent most of his life in the police. He currently sits on two public bodies as member.
	Mr. Balram Gidoomal CBE—member
	Mr. Gidoomal has held numerous member roles on both public and voluntary committees. He has experience of handling complaints in private and public sector organisations.
	Previous committee members were Ros Gardner, chair, and Paul Manning, member, whose appointments ended on 31 March 2005. Catherine Tuitt will continue to work with the new committee until her appointment expires in August 2005.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Kim Howells: With the support of Her Majesty's Government, the United Nations Security Council on 18 April 2005 adopted resolution 1596, which extends the arms embargo on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to the entire territory of the DRC with conditioned exemptions for the new Congolese army, the UN organisation mission in the DRC and non-lethal military equipment for humanitarian or protective use.
	Resolution 1596 (2005) also provides for an assets freeze and a travel ban, with conditioned exemptions, on persons or entities acting in violation of the arms embargo on the DRC, to be designated by a committee of the Security Council. The resolution also requests the UN Secretary-General to re-establish the group of experts, tasked with monitoring the implementation and enforcement of the measures, for a period expiring on 31 July 2005 with the addition of a fifth expert for financial issues.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Prison Service

Shaun Woodward: The 2004 spending review settlement required the Northern Ireland Prison Service to commission an independent review of its strategy for reducing unit costs.
	The review was led by Hamish Hamill, the retired head of the Scottish Justice Department who was assisted by Michael Cook, governor of HM prison, The Verne and Gary Law, unit manager HM prison Edinburgh. I am very grateful to them for their report which makes five principal recommendations:
	Recommendation 1
	the key target for NIPS should be to reduce its costs per prisoner place in real terms year-on-year by an agreed amount that is valid in the Northern Ireland context,
	Recommendation 2
	a wider review of the prisons estate is urgently required to inform long term investment decisions,
	Recommendation 3
	NIPS should urgently explore the option of contracting out the full range of escort services in preference to reactivating prisoner custody officer recruitment,
	Recommendation 4
	a better understanding between management and staff representatives should offer quick wins for both sides and must be a top priority for the new director general,
	Recommendation 5
	the development of an enhanced model to assist in the provision of regular forecasts of the prisoner population, taking account of the range of relevant criminal justice system variables, should be given greater priority than it has had until now.
	The Government accept the report's recommendations which, when taken together with the service's efficiency programme, represent a comprehensive programme of work.
	To take the report's recommendations forward, I have asked Robin Masefield, the director general of the service, to prepare a strategic development plan aimed at drawing up the blueprint for the long term development of the Northern Ireland Prison Service.
	The terms of reference for the work to develop the prison service strategic development plan are as follows:
	This study will draw up the blueprint for the long term development of the Northern Ireland Prison Service. It will create a firm platform for the Service's estate strategy and value for money investment decisions in relation to accommodation, facilities and services for prisoners.
	The study will build on the earlier estate strategy review completed in 2002 which concluded that Northern Ireland required three separate establishments. It is not intended to challenge that particular assumption, but the study will take account of:
	(a) potential changes in the prisoner population over the next 10–15 years and the foreseen operational needs of the service;
	(b) the current condition of the NIPS estate and the NIPS estate strategy review completed in 2002 where still relevant;
	(c) work in progress to clarify the role of individual establishments eg. the review of the regime for life sentence prisoners;
	(d) the approach to the private sector in prison services in Great Britain and the potential for reductions in the cost to the taxpayer;
	(e) the comparative risks to deliverability of public and private sector operations, in the Northern Ireland context;
	(f)other relevant factors, including likely timescales, the merits of alternative locations for prisoners in Northern Ireland, and the employment effects in the northwest;
	(g) affordability;
	(h) the service's current efficiency programme.
	The study is to take note of all other relevant evidence, including the recent report of the independent review led by Hamish Hamill and reports based on the concept of a healthy prison by the Inspectorates in relation to both Magilligan and Hydebank Wood.
	The work will consist of a number of strands taken forward under the oversight of a central steering group. Trade union and staff association representatives will be consulted fully during the study.
	The main output from the review ie. the service's strategic development plan, is to be completed before the end of 2005.
	I have placed copies of the Hamill Report in the Libraries of both Houses.